Ponoka County took over fire services for the Town of Ponoka Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. The county held a special meeting at 1 p.m. to discuss the issue and approved the request to take over services. It was intended to come into effect May 1.
Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Breaking: Ponoka County takes over Town of Ponoka Fire Services

After a special meeting with the county locks were changed and the county took over

“You’ve worked with this guys before,” stated Matejka, adding that he feels it’s important to put the transfer details in writing.

Cutforth pointed out that previous issues were more to do with past elected officials and that the current fire trucks will have their equipment on them.

“It’s fully equipped as it is. Is there a concern for that? There is,” offered Cutforth, regarding the worry of equipment being removed.

“Within 30 minutes of this meeting there will be an inspection,” he added.

McLauchlin added there’s potential the transfer could happen sooner than the May 1 deadline outlined in the agreement. Indeed, about two hours later, the county became the fire services department for the town.

See more on the transfer below.

Coun. Bryce Liddle agreed that Matejka’s concerns were valid but offered that it’s time to move forward. “We can’t keep looking in the rear-view mirror.”

McLauchlin added town and county councillors were voted in to work together.

“This is a new council,” he added. “And at the same time we’ve got some obligations under collaboration.”

Another concern for Matejka was about the potential of the town leaving the agreement and then the county would be stuck with a pumper truck they don’t need.

Coun. Doug Weir, who called in by telephone, asked if there’s a way to amend the agreement that the town buys back the rescue truck if the town serves notice.

“It’ll show their good faith,” said Weir.

McLauchlin was in favour of that idea. “Just tie it to the agreement.”

“I’ll tell you who has the greatest risk. It’s the town,” McLauchlin added.

“I think the town wants to move forward and I think we should move forward,” added Hartford. “We wanted this to happen years ago.”

Council voted unanimously in favour of the agreement with the buy-back option for the pumper truck.

Transfer came shortly after county meeting

After the county decision things moved quickly in the Town of Ponoka.

The county’s meeting ended at about 2 p.m. and shortly after it was seen that CAO Albert Flootman’s vehicle was at the PFD Fire Hall along with a locksmith.

It’s unclear the reason for the quick transfer but it appears the town took the necessary steps to inform emergency dispatch in Red Deer to ensure town residents were protected.

At about 8:30 p.m. the town sent out a press release stating that effective immediately, “…it has entered into a regional fire services agreement with Ponoka County to provide fire protection services to the Town of Ponoka. The agreement, which was approved by Ponoka town council last week and by Ponoka County council early this afternoon took effect at 3 p.m. today.”

Flootman did take time to thank to the PFD members for their service, pointing out the town’s department has been in operation since 1906.

“On behalf of the town, I would like to express our deep and sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and outstanding fire protection provided by our Ponoka Fire Department members,” said Flootman in the release.